Geography

Île-de-France: region, administration and significance Île-de-France Île-de-France is the region that contains Paris and its suburbs; it is France's political, cultural and economic core and is divided into eight departments around the city.

Ilfis — a river of the Entlebuch and upper Emmental Ilfis Ilfis is a Swiss river rising in the uplands of the Entlebuch and flowing through Bern and Lucerne into the Emme; notable for its rural valley character, ecological corridors and l…

Ilia (Elis): Western Peloponnese region of Greece Ilia Ilia (Elis) is a coastal region on the western Peloponnese in Greece. Known for ancient Olympia, fertile plains, and seaside resorts, it blends archaeological importance, agricultu…

Ill — river of Alsace in northeastern France Ill (France) Principal river of Alsace in northeastern France. The Ill flows north through Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin, passing Mulhouse, Colmar and Strasbourg before joining the Rhine; important fo…

Illampu — prominent Bolivian peak of the Cordillera Real Illampu Illampu is a 6,368 m mountain in the Cordillera Real of Bolivia. Noted for steep, glaciated faces and technical climbs, it is a major landmark near Sorata and an important water so…

Ille-et-Vilaine Ille-et-Vilaine is a department in the Brittany region of northwestern France with Rennes as its prefecture; this article outlines its geography, history, administration, economy a…

Iller–Lech Plateau (Upper Swabian Plateau) Iller-Lech Plateau Natural region in southern Germany between the Danube, Iller and Lech rivers, shaped by glacial and fluvial processes and noted for rolling farmland, wetlands, kettle lakes and mor…

Illhaeusern — Alsatian riverside commune noted for cuisine and heritage Illhaeusern Illhaeusern is a small commune in Haut-Rhin, Grand Est, eastern France, set on the Ill river and known for traditional Alsace architecture and the long-standing restaurant Auberge…

Illimani: Prominent Peak of the Bolivian Andes Illimani Illimani is a 6,438 m glaciated mountain in the Cordillera Real near La Paz, Bolivia. A striking landmark, it is culturally important and a popular objective for experienced mounta…

Illinois: geography, history, economy and culture Illinois Illinois is a Midwestern U.S. state with Chicago as its largest city and Springfield as its capital. It features major waterways, diverse economy, and a history from indigenous peo…

Illinois River Major tributary of the Mississippi River in Illinois. It links the Great Lakes and Mississippi watersheds, supports navigation and recreation, and is important for regional ecology…

Illizi Province — southeastern Algerian region of desert plateaus and rock art Illizi Province Illizi Province is a vast, sparsely populated Algerian wilaya in the southeast Sahara, noted for Tassili n'Ajjer rock art, Tuareg culture, oasis towns, desert tourism and hydrocarb…

Illyria: the Ancient Region and Peoples of the Western Balkans Illyria Illyria was an ancient geographical and cultural region along the western Balkans inhabited by Illyrian-speaking peoples from the Bronze Age into the Roman era; known through archa…

Ilm-Kreis: district in Thuringia, Germany Ilm-Kreis Ilm-Kreis is a Landkreis (district) in the central German state of Thuringia. Its main towns include Arnstadt and Ilmenau; the district combines industry, university life, cultural…

Ilmenau River (Lower Saxony, Germany) Ilmenau River A freshwater river in northern Germany, the Ilmenau flows through parts of Lower Saxony and joins the Elbe. It supports local ecosystems, has a history of human use, and is distinc…

Ilocos Region (Region I) — geography, people, and cultural highlights Ilocos Region I of the Philippines, commonly called the Ilocos Region, covers four provinces on Luzon’s northwest coast. Overview of its provinces, languages, history, economy, and notabl…

Ilomska — a mountain river of central Bosnia and Herzegovina Ilomska Ilomska is a short mountain river in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, a right tributary of the Ugar. Known for steep gorges, two waterfalls and mixed conifer-beech forests, it suppo…

Imbabura Province Imbabura Province in northern Ecuador's Andes has capital Ibarra. Known for volcanoes (Cotacachi), crater lakes (Cuicocha), a strong indigenous presence (Otavalo market), handicraf…

Imboden District — canton of Graubünden, Switzerland Imboden District Imboden was a district in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland, covering about 203.8 km² with several municipalities; it lies near Chur in the Rhine valley and underwent administr…

Imereti (region of Georgia) Imereti Imereti is a historic and agricultural region in western Georgia, centered on the city of Kutaisi. It is known for river valleys, medieval monasteries, mining, industry, and a temp…

Imishli District (İmişli) Imishli District Imishli District (İmişli) is an administrative rayon of Azerbaijan in the lowland Mughan plain. It is primarily agricultural and shares Lake Sarysu with neighboring Sabirabad.

Imja Khola: a Himalayan tributary in the Everest region Imja Khola Overview of Imja Khola, a glacially fed tributary of the Dudh Kosi in eastern Nepal, its course, ecology, role for trekkers, and risks from glacial lake growth and seasonal floodin…

Immovable property (land and permanently attached structures) Immovable property Immovable property: land and things permanently attached to it. Overview of legal characteristics, typical rights, distinctions from movable goods, transfer methods and comparative…

Imst District — Alpine district in Tyrol, Austria Imst District Overview of Imst District in Tyrol, Austria: geography, borders, landscape, demographics, history, economy and cultural features of this alpine region centered on Imst.

Inaba Province (historic province of Japan) Inaba Province Inaba Province was a historical Japanese province in the area of modern Tottori Prefecture on Honshū, known for Tottori Castle, the White Hare legend, coastal plains and the Tottor…

Incahuasi — high volcano of the Argentine Andes Incahuasi Incahuasi is a 6,621 m stratovolcano in the high Andes of Argentina. Known as 'Inca house,' it is among the higher Andean summits and is notable for its geology, cultural name, and…

India — Republic of India: geography, people, history, economy and culture India Overview of India (Bhārat): its geography, neighbors, population, languages, religions, government, economy, scientific achievements and contemporary challenges.

India–Pakistan border (International Border — IB) India–Pakistan border The India–Pakistan international border (IB) separates parts of India and Pakistan outside Kashmir. Born of the 1947 Partition, it features formal crossings, heavy security, and is…

Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the world's third-largest ocean, bounded by Asia, Africa, Australia and the Southern Ocean; central to monsoon climates, trade routes, marine biodiversity, and…

Indian Standard Time (IST) Indian Standard Time Indian Standard Time (IST) is the single official time for India and Sri Lanka, set at UTC+5:30 based on the 82.5°E meridian; it does not observe daylight saving time.

Indian subcontinent: geography, geology, and cultural region Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a distinct South Asian landmass bounded by the Himalayas and surrounding seas, home to varied climates, large river systems, deep geological history, and…

Indian Territory: lands set aside for Native American nations in the United States Indian Territory Indian Territory refers to lands within the United States reserved for Native American tribes, especially the area that became Oklahoma; it shaped tribal governance, treaties, relo…

Indiana Overview of Indiana: geography, history, economy, culture, symbols, and major cities in the U.S. Midwest and Great Lakes region.

Indies (South and Southeast Asia) Indies “Indies” is a historical-geographical term for South and Southeast Asia and adjacent islands (often called the East Indies). This article explains its scope, origin, history, and m…

Indochina (Indochinese Peninsula) Indochina Indochina is the mainland portion of Southeast Asia lying between India and China, primarily including Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, with a distinct geography, history and cultural m…

Indonesia: Republic, Archipelago, People, and Culture Indonesia Indonesia is a vast Southeast Asian archipelagic republic. This article summarizes its geography, population, languages, history, governance, economy, religions and notable environ…

Indre (department) — central French department in Centre-Val de Loire Indre (department) Indre is a department in central France named for the Indre river. This article covers its geography, history, administration, economy, towns and cultural attractions.

Indre (river) The Indre is a river in central France and a left-bank tributary of the Loire. It crosses rural valleys and historic towns and gives its name to the departments Indre and Indre-et-…

Indre-et-Loire Indre-et-Loire, in Centre-Val de Loire, is a French department named for the Indre and Loire rivers. Prefecture Tours; known for Loire Valley châteaux, Touraine landscape, vineyard…

Indus River Major South Asian river rising in the Tibetan Plateau, flowing through India and Pakistan to the Arabian Sea; cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization and central to regional irriga…

Indus Valley Desert A dry ecoregion in northern Pakistan between the Chenab and Indus rivers. Characterized by sparse vegetation, arid soils and limited human use, it contrasts with surrounding thorn…

Indus Valley Plain A broad alluvial plain in Pakistan shaped by the Indus River and its tributaries, the Indus Valley Plain supports dense agriculture, historic settlements and varied landscapes from…

Inflow (hydrology): rivers, streams and water sources entering lakes and basins Inflow An inflow is any stream, river or channel that supplies water to a lake, wetland or reservoir. This article explains types, hydrological role, examples, and ecological and manageme…

Ingham County, Michigan Ingham County is a county in south-central Michigan that includes the state capital and Michigan State University; its county seat is Mason and it had a population of about 280,895…

Inn (river) The Inn is a 518 km alpine river flowing from Switzerland through Austria into Germany. A right tributary of the Danube, it shapes the Engadin and Inntal valleys and supports towns…

Inner Hebrides: islands off Scotland’s west coast Inner Hebrides Overview of the Inner Hebrides: geography, climate, history, communities, economy and wildlife of the island group off Scotland’s west coast.

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Inner Mongolia Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in northern China, known for its vast grasslands, mixed Han and Mongol population, mineral resources, and distinct Mongolian cultural heritag…

Innsbruck-Land District (Tyrol, Austria) Innsbruck-Land District A ring-shaped district surrounding the city of Innsbruck in Tyrol, Austria, known for its alpine landscape, valley settlements, cross-border links to Germany and Italy, and a mixed…